Silver02ex

The only advantage of the Delta reserve I see is the Delta status and MQM. Where the AMEX Platinum, you get many more lounge access, Delta Sky Club plus many more. Plus you have higher status at hotels such Marriott and Hilton. Personally I don't care for a the branded card (Hilton, Delta, and so on) since I rather earn MR points from AMEX and transfer it to any airlines or hotels partners (rates are usually 1:1 transfer rates). If I ever sign up for a branded card, it would certainly be for the sign up bonus and I'll cancel after a year or I'll keep it if it would offset the annual fee. Such as the Chase's Hyatt that has a a fee of $95, but each year I get 1 free night of category 4 room which can be worth $100-$200 if I paid cash.

Silver02ex

You may already know this but the AMEX Platinum and Gold is considered a charge card, so you would be required to pay it off every month, unless you use to pay over time feature. The APR wouldn't really make a difference.

CincoDeMayo

Another nice thing is with AMEX, if you get the Platinum card (example) and then after a year decide you dont like that card and maybe the Gold is a better fit, you can move to the gold and not get tagged with a credit inquiry or a "closing" of a credit card to ding your credit. Its considered a lateral move with their "charge cards" so you can move around while you find what charge card you like, and no penalty on the credit.

IF you move to one of their credit cards, you have to open new credit...

I have been with AMEX for years and the real benefits, that I have found, is in their customer service and warranty plans...Ive never been given any hassle about using an extended warranty, challenging a charge, and I have used their return protection 2 times after a store did not want to refund a purchase. They have been great.

Silver02ex

This is what I do with Chase, where I'll get the 80K sign up bonus from the Sapphire preferred (for example) and after a year downgrade to one of the Freedom (no annual fee). Then open up a higher status card and downgrade after a year. This way I don't have to close an account, and it's considered a product change and I keep the same account number. I've earn more points from sign up and retention offer than actually using my card. My wife and I got to the point where we are "referring" each other with referral code, so we can get additional sign up and referral bonus, and both downgrade most cards after each year.

CincoDeMayo

Smart!


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busdriver12

Here I thought I was clever, doing the signup bonuses, cancelling, then getting another. You win.👍

ramalama

Sounds like a big waste of time to me. Easier to fly the plane!

busdriver12

Sure, easy to fly the plane, however, it’s not one or the other. I’m happy with my pay, but if I can make thousands of dollars every year churning credit cards (application process takes about 90 seconds), why not? I always say, if someone needs to get paid for doing nothing, why not me?😁

atooraya

Wasn’t a waste of time for 2 hours of research and normal spending to get 2 round trip business class tickets to Europe while seeing 40 people on the upgrade list trying to pay the upgrade fee but the cabin was full.

Also wasn’t a waste of time when my TVs backlight went out 10 mos outside of warranty and Chase warranty sent me a check for the full purchase price of the TV.

I was able to get 125,000 signup bonus for Amex platinum and my wife got 80,000 signup for chase sapphire preferred. I can add her card to my CSR portal for 1.5x redemption. That’s $3050 in credit to be used on future air travel. It’s incredibly nice to not worry about standby with guaranteed seats during peak season.


A lot of the CSR and AMEX Plat perks are the same. However CSR gives you $300 travel credit for Uber or airfare. Amex plat gives you $200/yr for Uber/Uber eats, $100 credit to Saks and currently has 10x on groceries or gas till April I believe. You also can choose an airline to get a $200 fee credit, so if you’re checking bags, flying with a pet, or any other ancillary fees, they cover those. Really depends on what you’re planning to do for the next year. Definitely wait till after 12 mos to downgrade, because they can revoke signup bonuses if done too early.

PiperPilot03

I love free travel. My wife and I both signed up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve when it had the 100k bonus. With just one of the bonuses, we were able to get a free Mediterranean cruise with a balcony. Combine that with some free hotel stays from other credit cards and it was a very inexpensive trip.

Another great free money opportunity are bank sign up bonuses. Since being furloughed, i have signed up for 6. I will get $3000 from them. I almost prefer the bank sign ups since it doesn't affect you credit score (although even opening and closing cards doesn't have a large impact. Just a few points. My score is still over 800).

Sorry to high jack the thread. I love credit cards but banks are also great.